When working with computers, you quickly find that the details are very, very important. Even the smallest things can cause frustration. In many cases, the same is true of life in general. It is always worthwhile to get rid of some of the little aggravations in life.

It never fails, when I enter the bedroom at night and switch on the lamp from the wall switch, it doesn’t go on because it was last turned off at the lamp. When I try to switch the lamp on, it doesn’t go on because it was last turned off at the switch. Magic Tap solves both of those problems, plus it makes it easier to control hard to reach or difficult to operate lamp switches. Magic Tap turns any lamp into a touch controlled light, which is always ready to be turned on with a tap. The included 3-way switch adapter returns the wall switch to the on position after every use, creating a situation where the lamp can always be turned on from the switch and at the lamp, no matter where it was switched off.

The Magic Tap comes in two versions. Magic Tap Basic and Magic Tap Deluxe. They both work similarly and both include the wall switch adapter. Just plug the lamp into the Magic Tap and plug the Tap into the wall. Then just a touch of the Magic Tap controller or the Magic Tap Deluxe frame and the attached light goes on or off. Since you can control the light with a simple tap, you don’t have to fumble with the switch on the lamp itself.

The adapter for the wall switch is really ingenious. It is a small clear plastic cover that installs right over the wall switch. So it can be used even if you have multiple switches at the lamp switch location. Remove two screws from the switch plate, lay the Magic Tap switch over the switch plate and reinstall the two screws. The clear plastic of the adapter is barely noticeable, but works beautifully to keep the switch in the on position.

Magic Tap Basic looks like small round half ball that has been slightly flattened. The sides are slightly curved. Since the power cord runs out of the back of the ball, the Magic Tap resembles a round, black computer mouse. There is a small blue light near the cable that makes it easy to find in the dark. Happily, the light is not bright enough to be bothersome for light sleepers.

Magic Tap Deluxe is a small translucent picture frame with blue back that gives off a soft blue glow in the dark. The triangular shape of the back of the frame allows it to rest sturdily on the table or nightstand. The translucent frame can be removed and any picture can be easily inserted.

In both the basic and deluxe versions, the nightlight is adjustable, but there is nothing to indicate if the light is in the normal or low modes. The adjustment switch for the basic model is on the bottom of the Magic Tap. The frame of the deluxe model must be removed to access the switch. Since the frame pops off quite easily this is not a problem, but I would like to see something that tells me which mode the light is in. Also, to open the frame, I pushed on it repeatedly according to the directions. For some reason I expected the frame to slide off sideways when it actually lifts off perpendicularly. A note or illustration showing this would be a welcome addition to the instructions. I would love to see a Magic Tap that could accommodate two lamps, since, like many others, I have two lamps in my bedroom that are on either side of the bed and they are both plugged into a wall switch. As it is, I had to install two Magic Taps, one for each lamp.

After testing this device I immediately sent my mother one for her birthday. With a photo of her great-grandchildren in the frame, the Magic Tap Deluxe made a perfect customized present. The usefulness of the Magic Tap was immediately apparent. She loved it. While older folks with dexterity problems will love its convenience, it is also perfect for children, and useful for all ages in between.

Manufacturer:  Imagine-It-Concepts, Inc.

URL:   www.imagine-it-concepts.com

Price:  Magic Tap - $24.95,  Magic Tap Deluxe Picture Frame - $34.95